URGENT UPDATE: Uyghur activists in the UK are expressing deep outrage following Sir Keir Starmer’s recent visit to China, marking the first trip by a UK leader to Beijing since 2018. This visit, which is focused on enhancing trade relations, comes despite Starmer’s previous support for recognizing China’s treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide.
Activists like Rahima Mahmut and Aziz Isa Elkun feel “betrayed” by Starmer’s engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, especially given the ongoing allegations of genocide against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. Rahima, who fled China in 2000, stated, “Claiming economic benefit while shaking hands with those responsible for mass repression sends a devastating message to victims.”
Starmer, during his three-day visit, reportedly raised concerns about the treatment of the Uyghurs and the detention of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai. However, the emotional toll of this visit resonates strongly within the Uyghur community. Rahima lamented, “When there are no consequences, then it will continue.” She has had no contact with her family in China since January 2017, creating an unbearable sense of loss.
In a statement, Aziz Isa Elkun condemned the trip, saying, “Shame on him. Shame on Labour.” He emphasized that the British government cannot engage in normal business with a nation committing genocide. Aziz, a former resident of Xinjiang who escaped in 1999, shared his own painful experiences, including uncertainty about his mother’s fate after she was detained in a camp.
The backdrop of Starmer’s visit is stark. UN officials have repeatedly expressed concern over human rights abuses in Xinjiang, labeling many allegations as credible. In a recent statement, the United Nations Human Rights Commission reiterated its worries about forced labor and systemic exploitation of Uyghurs and other minorities.
During his discussions, Starmer and Xi announced a significant deal involving AstraZeneca, which plans to invest £10.9 billion in China by 2030. In addition, both nations agreed to a visa-free travel arrangement for UK citizens visiting China for under 30 days. This economic focus has raised alarms among human rights advocates who fear it overlooks the urgent issues facing the Uyghur community.
As the visit unfolds, the implications are clear: many see it as a missed opportunity for the UK to assert moral leadership on human rights. Rahima Mahmut’s frustration illustrates the sentiment among the Uyghur diaspora, as she reflects on a previous Labour commitment to address these atrocities through international legal channels.
With the world watching, activists like Aziz are calling on Starmer to leverage his position to advocate for the release of Uyghur detainees and to confront Xi on China’s human rights record. He stated, “Starmer must ask Xi Jinping to give Uyghurs fundamental human rights.”
As reactions continue to pour in, the urgency for a profound response from the UK government is mounting. The question remains: will this visit lead to meaningful dialogue or further silence on the plight of the Uyghur people?
Stay updated as this story develops. For further insights and reactions, follow our updates on international human rights issues.
